AFCON 2025 Stars: Mané Golden Ball, Díaz Golden Boot
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
Individual Achievements Focus
Standout Stars Shine at AFCON 2025
THE 2025 Africa Cup of Nations celebrated both team success and individual excellence. Senegal won the title after a tense 1–0 extra-time victory over Morocco, but several players and teams were honoured for remarkable performances throughout the competition.
Player of the Tournament: Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané dominated headlines as the Player of the Tournament. His leadership, technical skill, and decisive contributions helped Senegal navigate a challenging path to the trophy, making him an undisputed star of AFCON 2025.
Top Scorer: Brahim Díaz
Despite Morocco falling short in the final, Brahim Díaz made history as the Golden Boot winner, scoring in five consecutive matches and finishing the tournament with five goals. His scoring consistency was a highlight for the Atlas Lions.
Best Goalkeeper and Fair Play Awards
Yassine Bounou earned Best Goalkeeper, keeping Morocco competitive in every match. The Atlas Lions also received the Fair Play Award, a testament to their sportsmanship and discipline across the tournament.
The awards cemented individual legacies while acknowledging teams who excelled under intense pressure, marking AFCON 2025 as a showcase of Africa’s finest football talent.
